File-holder cabinet



G. M. SCHAFF.

FIL E HOLDER CABINET. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1919.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- G. M. SC-HAFF.

FILE HOLDER CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 26, 1919.

Patented Dec. 7,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- UNITEF STATES GEORGE 'M. SCHAFF, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FILE-HOLDER CABINET.

Application filed September 26, 1919.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. SCHAFF, citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in File-Holder Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to file holder cabinets and has for its object to provide improved means for holding a plurality of sets of files in a cabinet in such manner that the files are readily accessible for observation or removal and the sets can be rearranged or changed as desired.

The invention consists of means whereby separate sets may be prepared and carried about from place to place, means whereby the sets may be frequently and easily changed and means whereby the condition of stock may be readily learned upon reference to said sets.

The invention consists of further and more limited objects which consists in the novel features of construction hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts of reference throughout the various views and wherein Figure 1 is a partial front elevation of the device constructed in accordance with the principles above set forth; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the-line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail section corresponding to the line 3- -3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of one of the card carrying units.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 the device comprises a sheet metal cabinet 1 having side walls 2 which have formed integral therewith horizontal ribs or flanges 3. The ribs 3 provide in effect guides for sliding trays 1 in which are carried the file holders 5 and the trays 41 are provided with a bottom 6 and side members 7 and 8. The side members are secured to downturned flanges9 of the bottom by being welded theretoand are of a height equivalent to the height of the file holders and at the top the side members have hinged to them a horizontal retaining flap or strip 39 beneath which the edges of the holders are retained. The shaft of the hinge has near to each of its end-s a torsion spring 10 which acts to keep the flaps in contact with the file holder and prevents the latter from being accidentally dis- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

Serial No. 326,573.

placed. At the rear end the bottom 6 is provided with a short upturned flange 11 to prevent the holders from sliding longitudinally within the panel. The aforesaid holders each consists of a box shaped structure having a bottom 12, back 13, front 14 and top portions 15. The top 15 is provided with a longitudinal undercut recess 16 which is formed by having the metal bent in the manner shown in Fig. 4. This provides a means for conveniently supporting an index card as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4:, upon which may be inscribed suitable notations pertaining to the condition of the stock. Secured to the middle of the front by means of a rivet 17 is an indicating finger 18, said indicating finger projects through a longitudinal slot 19in the top, at which point it is bent upwardly at 20 to provide an index whereby the finger may be moved about the pivot point 17 to indicate the condition of certain stock. The finger 18 is prevented from becoming accidentally displaced by the insertion of a fiber washer 21 between the finger and the front 14. The bottom portion 12 is provided with front and rear extensions 22 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive these holders are inserted within the panel 4 by having one of their edges placed beneath one of the retaining strips of the tray and having the opposite strip or flap raised when the holder may be dropped into position to lie parallel with the back parts, the flap is then allowed to spring into position to retain the holders in place thus one holder may be taken from any position in the tray, the other holders slide longitudinally thereupon and the holder inserted in a different position without affecting the index card or indicating finger, as the particular arrangement of various holders in the panel may be indicative of the condition of the stock.

From the above description it will become apparent that the device is capable of various other uses and may be manufactured in various forms and while I have shown this particular arrangement and combination of parts in the drawings I do not wish to limit myself further than is required by the state of the art or that which comes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a tray, of a plurality of file holders removably mounted in the tray, and releasable retaining devices at the sides of the tray, engaging said file holders.

2. The combination with a tray, of a plurality of file holders spring-pressed retaining flaps mounted on said side walls and engaging uponthe ends of the file holders. 7

5. A file holder comprising a hollow boxshaped structure having front and back walls and a top wall, having a middle part depressed below the upper edges of the front and back walls, the depression extending outwardly at opposite sides under the marginal portions of the top, to form an undercut recess adapted to receive cards or the like.

In testimony whereof, I do affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. SQHAFF.

' Witnesses JOHN A. BOMB-IIIARDT, N. S. MALIN. 

